Seize the Opportunity with Chin Na: Part 1

By Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

Editor’s Note: The is the first
in a two part article on Chin Na. Chinese Chin Na is often compared to
Japanese Jujutsu as well as aikido. But Chin Na is a broader art that
also contains gripping/muscle grabbing, cavity press techniques and the
art of striking vital points. Chin Na is often taught as an integral element
of many Chinese Kung Fu systems, although it can also be taught as a stand-alone
system.

Introduction

Dr. Yang demonstrating a Chin Na
finger technique

Chin Na literally means "seize control." Chin Na covers a wide
range of defensive and offensive techniques, from very fundamental hand
grappling to the very advanced Dim Mak (delayed death touch). The fundamental
techniques can be learned by any martial artist or even by someone without
any martial arts experience. These fundamental techniques can easily be
adapted and incorporated into any martial style such as Judo, Wrestling
(Shuai Jiao), Karate, or Tae Kwon Do to increase the range of responses.
In open-handed styles, many opportunities arise where grabbing Chin Na
can be used. Once a person has mastered all these fundamental techniques,
he can continue his study in advanced Chin Na, something which is so deep
that for most students it will take over 20 years to learn, practice and
master – a knowledge without end or limit. When Chin Na reaches
an advanced level, the application of Qi (internal energy) and Jin (internal
power) becomes very difficult to understand.

Speed & Power

Dr. Yang demonstrates a Chin Na
finger technique on Christopher Caile, painfully so. Dr. Yang invited
Caile, the Editor of www.FightingArts.com, to a series of Chin Na
seminars in New York City, New Jersey and Boston to learn how he
was teaching the art. Photo – courtesy of Christopher Caile

Speed is the most important factor in an effective Chin Na technique.
With many Chin Na techniques (the application) you need to use only one-half
or even one-third of the power of your opponent. However, without speed
you will not be able to control your opponent before he escapes or reacts
against you. There are, however, many other Chin Na techniques which do
require considerable power to execute and to maintain control. If you
do not have the necessary speed and power, your Chin Na will remain second
rate, and you will often find that you have exposed yourself to counterattack
or otherwise put yourself in a disadvantageous position. Therefore, speed
and power are a major part of the training in a Chin Na course.

In order to make the grabbing Chin Na effective, you must first train
your grabbing speed and power. This training will include: finger and
palm speed and power, arm extension, and twisting speed and power, using
the waist to direct the Jin (martial power) to your arms and fingers,
and stepping to set up the advantageous position for your technique. In
all, an effective Chin Na requires speed, power, and the coordination
of arms, waist, and stepping.

Dr. Yang demonstrates another finger Chin Na technique on a
student. While attending Dr. Yang Chin Na seminars, I found them
to be very well organized into simple progressions, or levels of
technique. New students focus on a set of finger Chin Na techniques
(a full day or two day seminar). In subsequent seminars students
progress to other levels such as wrist Chin Na, elbow Chin Na, waist
Chin Na, Leg Chin Na, etc. Students can also learn or refresh their
knowledge via Yang’s newest Chin Na book as well as a set
of Chin Na DVDs that follow the same format. Thus a student can
learn one level in a seminar and then continue his training via
Dr. Yang’s Chin Na book or DVDs.

Use Of Chin Na

Remember one thing. When you use a grabbing Chin Na on an opponent, you
are showing him mercy. If you can control him with a grabbing Chin Na,
you can strike or kick him more easily and more safely. There are two
circumstances under which you would use a grabbing Chin Na in a fight.
The first is when you are using sticking and adhering techniques, and
grabbing Chin Na can be used easily and effectively. The second is when
your fighting ability is much higher than your opponent’s, and you
do not want to injure him. You demonstrate your Chin Na on him to show
mercy and to prove to him that you have the ability to control him.

General Rules Of Use

Once you have decided to use your grabbing Chin Na, you must control
him completely. Half-way control will only bring you trouble and danger.
There are a few general rules which you should remember:

Lifting

Downward

Circular

An awkward position

1. When you apply a lifting Chin Na, you must lift your
opponent’s heels off the floor. Otherwise, he will still have his
root and he will be able to punch or kick you.

2. When you use a downward Chin Na, you must bring him
down so his face or elbow touches the ground, and he is completely defenseless.

3. When you use a circular Chin Na, you must destroy
your opponent’s balance and pull his root. His root and balance
give him the ability to resist and counterattack. Once he has lost his
root, you can then control him either downward or upward.

4. When you apply a Chin Na control to an opponent,
you should always have a backup technique such as a punch or kick, so
that you can destroy his capacity to fight if your Chin Na control fails.
If you see that you need to hit him, do not hesitate. Remember: to show
mercy to your opponent is to be cruel to yourself.

5. Whatever Chin Na you do, do not turn your body in
front of your opponent. Set him up in an awkward position first, then
you can turn either on his side or behind him. Turning in front of your
opponent without first putting him in a disadvantageous position is extremely
dangerous and unwise.

6. The key words of grabbing Chin Na are twist, bend,
and press.

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About The Author:

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming started his Gongfu (Kung Fu) training at the age
of fifteen under the Shaolin White Crane (Bai He) Master Cheng, Gin Gsao.
In thirteen years of study (1961-1974) under Master Cheng, Dr. Yang became
an expert in the White Crane style of Chinese martial arts, which includes
both the use of bare hands and of various weapons such as saber, staff,
spear, trident, two short rods, and many others. With the same master
he also studied White Crane Chin Na, Tui Na and Dian Xue massages, and
herbal treatment.

At the age of sixteen, Dr. Yang began the study of Taijiquan (Yang Style)
under Master Gao, Tao. After learning from Master Gao, Dr. Yang continued
his study and research of Taijiquan with several masters and senior practitioners
such as Master Li, Mao-Ching and Mr. Wilson Chen in Taipei. Master Li
learned his Taijiquan from the well-known Master Han, Ching-Tang, and
Mr. Chen learned his Taijiquan from Master Chang, Xiang-San. Dr. Yang
has mastered the Taiji barehand sequence, pushing hands, the two-man fighting
sequence, Taiji sword, Taiji saber, and Taiji Qigong.

At 18, he entered Tamkang College in Taipei Xian to study Physics and
also began the study of traditional Shaolin Long Fist (Changquan) with
Master Li, Mao-Ching at the Tamkang College Guoshu Club (1964-1968). He
eventually became an assistant instructor under Master Li. In 1971 he
completed his M.S. degree in Physics at the National Taiwan University
and then served in the Chinese Air Force from 1971 to 1972. In the service,
Dr. Yang taught Physics at the Junior Academy of the Chinese Air Force
while also teaching Wushu. After being honorably discharged in 1972, he
returned to Tamkang College to teach Physics and resumed study under Master
Li, Mao-Ching. From Master Li, Dr. Yang learned Northern style Gongfu,
which includes both barehand techniques, especially kicking, and numerous
weapons.

In 1974, Dr. Yang came to the United States to study Mechanical Engineering
at Purdue University. At the request of a few students, Dr. Yang began
to teach, which resulted in the foundation of the Purdue University Chinese
Kung Fu Research Club in the spring of 1975. While at Purdue, Dr. Yang
also taught college-credited courses in Taijiquan. In May, 1978 he was
awarded a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering by Purdue.

Yang's Martial Arts Association was established in Boston, MA in 1982.
Currently, YMAA is an international organization, including 56 schools
in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, France, Holland, Hungary, Iran,
Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, the United Kingdom,
and the United States. In 1984, Dr. Yang retired from his engineering
career, to focus his energy on teaching and researching the Chinese arts,
and introducing them to the West through many books, videos and DVDs.
Visit http://www.ymaa.com for current information.

Dr. Yang has nearly 40 years of instructional experience: seven years
in Taiwan, five years at Purdue University, two years in Houston, TX,
and 25 years in Boston, MA. On November 29, 2005, Dr. Yang conferred the
title of Taiji Master to one of his senior students, which by definition
bestows the honorable title of Grandmaster upon Dr. Yang.

Dr. Yang is also the founder of the YMAA
Retreat Center in Humbolt County, CA, where he will spend ten years
training a select group of students, starting in August 2008.